The superhero mash-up, announced by Snyder at this year’s Comic-Con, pointed to an older actor to take on the cowl as a counterpoint to Henry Cavill’s more youthful Superman. Several contenders including Josh Brolin were mooted, but Warners has gone for someone the studio has a strong connection with, both in front of and, more successfully following the likes of Argo and Gone Baby, Gone, behind the camera.

Affleck will only be on acting duty for the new film, but Snyder is clearly happy with his choice. “Ben provides an interesting counter-balance to Henry’s Superman. He has the acting chops to create a layered portrayal of a man who is older and wiser than Clark Kent and bears the scars of a seasoned crime fighter, but retain the charm that the world sees in billionaire Bruce Wayne,” the Man Of Steel director said in a statement picked up by Variety. “I can’t wait to work with him.”

As for the choice, it has already provoked a strong reaction online, with some raising the spectre of Daredevil and others worrying that his personality will overwhelm the role. We’re happy to wait and see what he does with the part, and how his interpretation of the Caped Crusader fits into the world Snyder has established. He’s certainly got a lot to live up to given the success of Bale’s time in the suit, but at least Affleck knows the pressure he’s under. Introducing a brand new take on the character in a film that will also have to service Kal-El is still a big task to nail, but again, no one has seen a frame of the film yet, so it’s a little early to judge.

Batman Vs. Superman, or whatever it ends up being called, is scheduled for the crowded marketplace of summer 2015, with a US release on July 17 of that year.

Between Snyder directing, Affleck in a batsuit, and the sour taste Man of Steel left in my mouth this summer, it's going to take one hell of a movie to swing my views on this one. Guess I'll be supporting Team Marvel next summer! More

Never liked his acting in Armageddon, Pearl Harbor,... unitll I saw ARGO. There he was fantastic: Sober, tormented, modest...
And when I read that Zack Snyder was looking for an "older" and "wiser", more seasoned Batman then I'm convinced that the Ben Affleck we saw in ARGO is the man. More

L: Scruffybobby
Some of these made me lol. Frankie Boyle's is my favourite
http://io9.com/the-50-greatest-tweets-about-ben-affleck s-casting-as-1188521731
&:]
I'm actually quite stupefied!
Daredevil was a decade ago and the guy has nailed it consistently (directing or acting) since Gone Baby Gone in 2007.
Personally, I think he's a great shout... Especially for a more mature version of Batman.
After the initial reaction to Ledger being cast as The Joker I More

L: Lucrezia
In the pantheon of DC superheros Batman stood alone. Whereas other heroes relied on powers and abilities to see them through the day they all had their Achilles heal, they all had their kryptonite. Batman was different, while on surface he may have only been a man in a suit, underneath he was so much more. He wasn't just an incorruptible symbol or a caped crusader, he was an awesome bada*s motherfu*ker who would never stop or back down no matter the cost. Bane may have brok More

L: waltham1979
L: jenp65
I am underwelmed really with the choice.....Although I think he was very good in the Town and Argo (where he has control behind the camera) without that level of control are we back to Daredevil....
maybe have liked the Gerard Butler. inatly has the charm for the Bruce Wayne personna and can pull off the action sections. He is also slightly older adn has the acting chops to pull it off....Just throwing that out there.....It has nothing to do with h More

L: tokin5000
Great choice for batman. the last three movies i dont really consider proper batman movies just some guys take on the universe that was not pulled off very well.
agree with this except for the first four wordsI think Affleck is an appalling actor. Then again, Man Of Steel was a pile of shit so maybe he'll suit it. More

L: dunkah
Chill out virgins
his would have made my afternoon if it weren't the start of a bank holiday weekend.
Still very funny, though.
And to add my .02c- I'm happy with this choice, I like Affleck and I think he'll be good. I've seen people on other sites react in the most hyperbolic, hilariously bombastic fashion "FML!! I hate you WB!! This has ruined my year!!" etc.
Chill out indeed... More

I'm pleasantly surprised. I like Ben Affleck.
Dare I say it, but I thought Bale was great as Bruce Wayne but annoying as fuck as Batman. I didn't like him one bit.
Oh, and....
......I was going that the influence of Nolan would have brought more imaginative casting. They must realise that the success of Batman was down to brilliant casting. Each actor held his own as almost method. In a 3d world, Ben Affleck is 2D. He has proven time and again that he is Ben Affleck as Tom Cruise is More

L: TOPOI
I was going that the influence of Nolan would have brought more imaginative casting. They must realise that the success of Batman was down to brilliant casting. Each actor held his own as almost method. In a 3d world, Ben Affleck is 2D. He has proven time and again that he is Ben Affleck as Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise in everything. For this to work, most were going for 'deeper' actors. However, I get the feeling that maybe these types (Brolin, Caveziel) might have turned it down More

L: tokin5000
Great choice for batman. the last three movies i dont really consider proper batman movies just some guys take on the universe that was not pulled off very well.
Hmm, I guess you are the kind of person that enjoys overly camp 'Batman Forever' style superheroes. Oh well, each to their own I suppose More

L: AxlReznor
To be fair, his character in Argo was a good man trying to do what was right whilst dealing with the death of close family... ringing any bells?
n that case they should have cast Woody Harrleson as that what his character was doing in Zombie Land More

L: jenp65
I am underwelmed really with the choice.....Although I think he was very good in the Town and Argo (where he has control behind the camera) without that level of control are we back to Daredevil....
maybe have liked the Gerard Butler. inatly has the charm for the Bruce Wayne personna and can pull off the action sections. He is also slightly older adn has the acting chops to pull it off....Just throwing that out there.....It has nothing to do with his devilish good looks o More

L: unplugged7x
He was flawless in Argo so I can see this working out. But I'd be more excited for the sequel if he was behind the camera.
ow can you compare Argo and Batman? Maggie Smith was flawless in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel; doesn't mean she should be Wonder Woman! More

L: TOPOI
I was going that the influence of Nolan would have brought more imaginative casting. They must realise that the success of Batman was down to brilliant casting. Each actor held his own as almost method. In a 3d world, Ben Affleck is 2D. He has proven time and again that he is Ben Affleck as Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise in everything. For this to work, most were going for 'deeper' actors. However, I get the feeling that maybe these types (Brolin, Caveziel) might have turned it down More

I don't agree with anyone saying Affleck is not a good actor. He is good like he especially was for me in Good Will Hunting, Dogma (especially towards the end), Changing Lanes, Hollywoodland and The Town. And he has learnt a lot over the years and become a better actor for it. Also, I don't entirely blame him for Daredevil as it was during the whole Bennifer thing and the director Mark Steven Johnson is a terrible director who obviously didn't have the talent to steer Affeck and the film in th More

It's a shame, a credible young film director like that showing movie star pretensions.
In the nolan era I think that superman and batman can just manage to pull off the conceit that they exist in the "real world" if they're kept separate. Bringing them together does seem to ask for a far more heightened stylisation. No one wants the joel schumacher thing back, basically I just think the studio should simply bung the guys at Rock Steady a few quid to take their Arkham video games to the bi More

L: DancingClown
I'm old enough to remember Batfans burning effigies of Michael Keaton back in the late 80s. Nowadays they just go straight to the internet because making effigies takes too much effort.
still like to make a good effigy when the mood takes me. I won't bother in this instance because I'm not angry or offended by this casting choice, I'm just dissapointed and deeply underwhelmed. If there were an effigy for this it would simply end up sat in a corner gathering dust because More

L: TOPOI
I was going that the influence of Nolan would have brought more imaginative casting. They must realise that the success of Batman was down to brilliant casting. Each actor held his own as almost method. In a 3d world, Ben Affleck is 2D. He has proven time and again that he is Ben Affleck as Tom Cruise is Tom Cruise in everything. For this to work, most were going for 'deeper' actors. However, I get the feeling that maybe these types (Brolin, Caveziel) might have turned it down More

L: waltham1979
Where the hell is DannyBhoy??!! I thought this thread would be right up his hating Nolan/Snyder/Everything street!! /quote]
Don't we have to look in a mirror and say his name five times for him to appear?
More

L: DancingClown
L: waltham1979
L: AxlReznor
L: waltham1979
L: AxlReznor
I actually didn't mind Jersey Girl... I thought that got a bad rap purely because of Jennifer Lopez' involvement, and while it's not a fantastic film, it's a pretty sweet guilty pleasure, and Affleck gives a good performance in it. Never bothered watching Gigli, though. I think he's a fine actor, and am a big fan of some of his stuff... he's just not right for Batman, and I don't ne More

L: waltham1979
L: AxlReznor
L: waltham1979
L: AxlReznor
I actually didn't mind Jersey Girl... I thought that got a bad rap purely because of Jennifer Lopez' involvement, and while it's not a fantastic film, it's a pretty sweet guilty pleasure, and Affleck gives a good performance in it. Never bothered watching Gigli, though. I think he's a fine actor, and am a big fan of some of his stuff... he's just not right for Batman, and I don't need to give him a chance, More

L: AxlReznor
L: waltham1979
L: AxlReznor
I actually didn't mind Jersey Girl... I thought that got a bad rap purely because of Jennifer Lopez' involvement, and while it's not a fantastic film, it's a pretty sweet guilty pleasure, and Affleck gives a good performance in it. Never bothered watching Gigli, though. I think he's a fine actor, and am a big fan of some of his stuff... he's just not right for Batman, and I don't need to give him a chance, because I gave him a cha More

L: waltham1979
L: AxlReznor
I actually didn't mind Jersey Girl... I thought that got a bad rap purely because of Jennifer Lopez' involvement, and while it's not a fantastic film, it's a pretty sweet guilty pleasure, and Affleck gives a good performance in it. Never bothered watching Gigli, though. I think he's a fine actor, and am a big fan of some of his stuff... he's just not right for Batman, and I don't need to give him a chance, because I gave him a chance with Daredevil and More

L: AxlReznor
I actually didn't mind Jersey Girl... I thought that got a bad rap purely because of Jennifer Lopez' involvement, and while it's not a fantastic film, it's a pretty sweet guilty pleasure, and Affleck gives a good performance in it. Never bothered watching Gigli, though. I think he's a fine actor, and am a big fan of some of his stuff... he's just not right for Batman, and I don't need to give him a chance, because I gave him a chance with Daredevil and he should have learn More

L: Oroborous
L: DancingClown
Or perhaps very smart casting. It's got everyone talking that's for sure.
ow is that the definition of smart casting? If they cast John Goodman in the role it would get everyone talking, but that'd be terrible casting, because his voice wouldn't sound right.
And if they're measuring the success of a casting choice on whether it stirs up a strong vocal reaction or not, then that's definitely lazy.
ut there are many who approve of this casting More

L: markmilham
I honestly don't think Affleck will ruin this film. He's learnt a lot since Daredevil. If anyone will ruin this film, its Zak Snyder.
quote]ORIGINAL: jobloffski
This is an awesome piece of meta casting. Affleck was great in Hollywoodland as the 'from hopeful to failure and then death' George 'TV Superman' Reeves. He can do jaded, and scornful of the Superman heroism/idealism thing because inHollywoodland he did it already.
Daredevil, particularly the extended More

L: Oroborous
How is that the definition of smart casting? If they cast John Goodman in the role it would get everyone talking, but that'd be terrible casting, because his voice wouldn't sound right. eally? His voice would be your main point of contention about Goodman as Batman? More

L: DancingClown
Or perhaps very smart casting. It's got everyone talking that's for sure.
ow is that the definition of smart casting? If they cast John Goodman in the role it would get everyone talking, but that'd be terrible casting, because his voice wouldn't sound right.
And if they're measuring the success of a casting choice on whether it stirs up a strong vocal reaction or not, then that's definitely lazy. More

L: AxlReznor
There's no maybe's about it. He was miscast as Daredevil, therefore he has been miscast as Batman.
understand the trepidation, but the guy's older and wiser now. And Batman is a very different super-hero.
I look forward to this motion picture. More

I actually didn't mind Jersey Girl... I thought that got a bad rap purely because of Jennifer Lopez' involvement, and while it's not a fantastic film, it's a pretty sweet guilty pleasure, and Affleck gives a good performance in it. Never bothered watching Gigli, though. I think he's a fine actor, and am a big fan of some of his stuff... he's just not right for Batman, and I don't need to give him a chance, because I gave him a chance with Daredevil and he should have learnt to stay well away fr More

It's good to see y'all have a sense of perspective about this and are willing to give Affleck a chance. Seriously, it's like IMDB during his Gigli/Jersey Girl era in this place.
Batman was my guy when I was a kid, I still have some affection for the character and it's a shame when an actor gets him wrong (I'm looking at you, Kilmer and Clooney), but I say give Affleck a chance. Yes, he's a better director than an actor but this could be one of the few times he gets right.
And even he More

L: AxlReznor
L: DancingClown
L: AxlReznor
L: DancingClown
I'm loving the whole "Batfleck" thing. I'm also laughing at the hordes of squealing internet piggies shitting their little knickers over this. Hysterical. Like UTB said Keaton had it worse, and that was /i] the internet.
eaton hadn't already starred as a very similar character before, and proved that he was elyfor that kind of role.
eaton was terrific. Subjective, innit.
es... Keaton was terrific. M More

L: DancingClown
L: AxlReznor
L: DancingClown
I'm loving the whole "Batfleck" thing. I'm also laughing at the hordes of squealing internet piggies shitting their little knickers over this. Hysterical. Like UTB said Keaton had it worse, and that was /i] the internet.
eaton hadn't already starred as a very similar character before, and proved that he was elyfor that kind of role.
eaton was terrific. Subjective, innit.
es... Keaton was terrific. My point is, Ben Afflec More

L: AxlReznor
L: DancingClown
I'm loving the whole "Batfleck" thing. I'm also laughing at the hordes of squealing internet piggies shitting their little knickers over this. Hysterical. Like UTB said Keaton had it worse, and that was /i] the internet.
eaton hadn't already starred as a very similar character before, and proved that he was elyfor that kind of role.
eaton was terrific. Subjective, innit. More

L: DancingClown
I'm loving the whole "Batfleck" thing. I'm also laughing at the hordes of squealing internet piggies shitting their little knickers over this. Hysterical. Like UTB said Keaton had it worse, and that was /i] the internet.
eaton hadn't already starred as a very similar character before, and proved that he was elyfor that kind of role. More

I'm loving the whole "Batfleck" thing. I'm also laughing at the hordes of squealing internet piggies shitting their little knickers over this. Hysterical. Like UTB said Keaton had it worse, and that was /i] the internet. More

L: Dans_Vices
I don't get this at all, Superman is indestructible (bar kyptonite incursions), Batman was almost beaten to death by a Mexican wrestler. Superman vs Batman - there can be only one winner surely??
Affleck, terrible idea, too much Hollywood cheese factor for me. But I suspect this movie will be a shocking cheese fest.
he Mexican wrestler didn't go up against him until he was physically and mentally weakened from having to round up all of the lunatics that he busted out More

L: jobloffski
This is an awesome piece of meta casting. Affleck was great in Hollywoodland as the 'from hopeful to failure and then death' George 'TV Superman' Reeves. He can do jaded, and scornful of the Superman heroism/idealism thing because inHollywoodland he did it already.
Daredevil, particularly the extended version is in no way the piece of shit most seem to believe it to be, and I look forward to seeing Affleck in this forthcoming cinematic entertainment.
ord. More

L: UTB
L: blackduck
Will this be the new Craignotbond?
he same lol'erific reaction as with Heath Ledger. And Michael Keaton.
sp;
and Anne Hathaway. I like Affleck he's a decent actor, people just don't like him because he's been in some shitty films. I thought il ecent enough movie and the director's cut of that is more than decent. I'm happy to wait and see. More

L: waltham1979
Oh god; this is actually true!! I havent woken up from some horrific nightmare where they have horribly mis-cast Batman with the actor who was horribly mis-cast in Daredevil...this is actually happening! Although this is Snyder, the man who horribly mis-cast everyone but Superman and Johnathan Kent in MOS; and then horribly underused Kevin Costner in his role as Johnathan Kent by making him sacrifice his life with his wife to save a dog from a tornado with a horribly ill More

L: jobloffski
This is an awesome piece of meta casting. Affleck was great in Hollywoodland as the 'from hopeful to failure and then death' George 'TV Superman' Reeves. He can do jaded, and scornful of the Superman heroism/idealism thing because inHollywoodland he did it already.
il, particularly the extended version is in no way the piece of shit most seem to believe it to be look forward to seeing Affleck in this forthcoming cinematic entertainment.
aybe not - though I have n More

Na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na BATFLECK! (sadly, not the first)
As for an actual opinion, I'm going to admit to already being intrigued to how he'll play it. If he could angle in some of the jaded Loki from 'Dogma' (particularly the murderous bit) that would make for an interesting Batman. Also going back to 'Daredevil', he did play the Murdock part of the role well, so if he can channel that into Wayne, again could give interesting results. More

This is an awesome piece of meta casting. Affleck was great in Hollywoodland as the 'from hopeful to failure and then death' George 'TV Superman' Reeves. He can do jaded, and scornful of the Superman heroism/idealism thing because inHollywoodland he did it already.
Daredevil, particularly the extended version is in no way the piece of shit most seem to believe it to be, and I look forward to seeing Affleck in this forthcoming cinematic entertainment. More